Questions have been pouring in for our new family travel guru, Donna Airoldi of TravelMuse, and we’re ready to launch this new series! We’re starting with a question about big families and small hotel rooms, and a funny but oh-so-true query about children’s attention spans aboard airplanes. Check back next weekend for the lowdown on Oktoberfest.

With a husband, myself and three kids of different ages, I always have to reserve two rooms or a suite due to hotel rules and regulations. How can a family of five stay together in a great location?
- East Bay mom

Donna says: A growing trend has been for large or extended families to book vacation homes, apartments or condominiums for their stay. It keeps everyone in one place with more space and separate bedrooms, a kitchen for cooking meals (which saves money), and provides a more live-like-a-local experience. Among the many sites that cater to vacation rentals…

Try Vacation Rentals by Owners, Homeaway.com, Viviun.com and time shares, such as World Mark by Wyndham. Sometimes you can find good deals on CraigsList too, but you have to be careful about scams. Travel Muse also ran an article, “Hotel Rooms: Get the Size Your Family Needs,” last spring that you may find helpful. Happy Travels!

*********************************************
Why will my child watch six straight hours of TV at home, but on a plane the TV entertains her for about 3.5 minutes?

- Lamorinda Dad

Donna says: It’s not the TV, it’s the plane! Depending on your child, it could be any combination of these reasons: They’re confined to a limited space, which makes some kids antsy — not to mention, some adults too! Unless your family flies first or business class, the seats can be pretty uncomfortable. Also, your child could be excited about traveling to a new destination, or distracted or curious about all the strangers traveling with them. Bring a variety of toys, books and games to give them options to help keep them occupied. And keep the sugar intake down before the flight!

*******************************************
Got a family travel question or want to add your thoughts? E-mail it to us or click “comments” and add it here. Interested in the last Q&A? Click here for Donna’s advice on last minute trip ideas.